Total reports developments in Norway's PL 018 license

LOS ANGELES, June 9 -- Total SA announced the launch of the Ekofisk South and Eldfisk II projects in the southern Norwegian North Sea on Production License (PL) 018.

“These two projects represent major investments for Total and clearly demonstrate our long-term commitment to continued value creation in Norway” said Patrice de Vivies, Total’s senior vice-president, exploration and production, northern Europe.

The company, which holds a 39.9% interest in the license, said Norway already approved the plan for development and operation for each project.

Ekofisk South will include Ekofisk 2/4VB, a subsea facility at the Ekofisk complex, along with a platform, Ekofisk 2/4Z, which will have a 40-year design life and production capacity of 70,000 boe/d.

Total said the Ekofisk South facilities will enable the drilling of 35 production and 8 water-injection wells to further develop Ekofisk field and increase recovery. Production startup is expected early 2014.

Eldfisk II will include a 70,000 boe/d platform, the Eldfisk 2/7S, also with a 40-year design life, at the Eldfisk complex, and will substantially upgrade the existing facilities on Eldfisk field.

The Eldfisk 2/7S platform will provide accommodation, new process facilities, and will enable the drilling of 30 production and 9 water injection wells to further develop the Eldfisk field and increase recovery. Production startup is expected in 2015.

“These two projects will enable the development of around 450 million boe of reserves,” Total said, adding that Ekofisk and Eldfisk fields, discovered in 1969 and 1970, respectively, produced an average of 260,000 boe/d in 2010.

Earlier this week, Total said it has agreed to sell its entire 6.4% stake in Gassled joint venture, the Norwegian Gas Transportation Network, and related entities to Silex Gas Norway AS, a unit of German insurer Allianz SE, for 4.64 billion kroner ($870 million) (OGJ Online, June 8, 2011).